About this Event
Apologies that this event has had to be moved from its original date, time and place to the evening of Thursday 25th June, doors open from 6.30pm, Mary Craig's talk starts at 7pm
Come along to this informal event, enjoy listening to a talk; join others with some small bites and good company. You are invited to bring along an item of food to put on the table to share and take away what is left at the end.
A History of Scottish Witches: The Devil’s Handmaidens is a compelling talk that explores the persecution of alleged witches in Scotland between 1563 and 1736. It examines how a potent mix of religion, politics, and fear created the conditions for one of the most intense witch-hunting periods in Europe. Drawing on the influence of figures such as John Knox and James VI of Scotland, the talk considers how authority and belief combined to shape attitudes toward witchcraft.
At the heart of the discussion is the transformation of everyday magical and fairy beliefs into something far more sinister. What had once been part of ordinary life became recast as evidence of Devil worship, driven in large part by the Scottish Kirk’s growing obsession with demonic influence. Using vivid examples from trial records and so-called witch confessions, the talk reveals how these ideas were enforced and sustained through both religious and legal systems.
The talk also highlights the social dimensions of the witch hunts, particularly the ways in which societal expectations of women left them especially vulnerable to accusation. It explores how the instability of the Reformation and the Wars of the Three Kingdoms intensified these pressures, creating an atmosphere in which suspicion and fear could thrive. Ultimately, it asks why so many people came to believe that the Devil was an ever-present threat, how this widespread panic took hold, and what finally brought it to an end.
In reflecting on the impact of this period on ordinary people, the talk offers a thoughtful consideration of its lasting significance. It invites audiences to think about what these events reveal about the power of belief, the dangers of moral panic, and the lessons this history might still hold for society today.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Outhouse, 12A Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
